Cookie Butter Shortbread Bites

These little bites have buttery shortbread crust, a smooth cookie butter center, and a cookie butter chocolate ganache topping. They're almost like a candy bar, or a cross between a cookie and a square. Plus, let's not forget that they are cookie..filled with a butter made from cookies.

Much to my delight, I recently found cookie butter at a Superstore by my house. I know it's been around for years in the USA so maybe it's old news to Americans, but for this Canadian it was a very exciting discovery. I showed it to the cashier all  'LOOK WHAT I FOUND' and she seemed confused, "What is that? Peanut butter?"

Sorry cashier, no time to explain. I have to run home and grab my spoon.

 

 But I didn't buy cookie butter so that I could sit around eating it with a spoon. I mean, I did do exactly that, but my real plan was to use it to make cookies. It's like completing the cookie circle of life: cookies  -->  turned into butter ---> turned back into cookies. The cycle ends up creating cookie flavored cookies..very meta.

 

These aren't meant to be sliced into huge squares, they're small and snack-able. Something to pass around after a big meal or or enjoy with a mug of coffee.

Putting them together is quick and painless (as cookie baking should be) . The crust is made out of shortbread so no rolling or even spooning out the dough. Just mix it all up and dump it into a parchment lined baking tray. For this batch I used Stirling's Churn84 butter because I like the texture the extra butterfat gives the shortbread. It makes the edges and crust buttery and crispy.

 

The dough gets poked with a fork to prevent it from puffing up, then it's baked until it turns ever-so-slightly golden around the edges.

 

The crust needs to cool before the cookie butter is added. Luckily, I was testing this recipe while we were experiencing a wicked cold snap. Place the pan outside 5 - 10 minutes and bam! Instantly cooled.

 Next comes the cookie butter, lovely lovely cookie butter. It's thick enough to hold it's own as a layer in the cookie bites. No need to mix in icing sugar because its already smooth and creamy without being gooey.

 

While I was spreading on the cookie butter I sang Circle of Life from the Lion King, it just seemed appropriate.

 

The very last layer is made out of chocolate melted with cookie butter. It sets semi-firm and fudgey: solid enough to pick up the pieces without messy fingers, but soft enough to bite into without squishing out the cookie butter layer.

  Once the chocolate layer has set the bars get pulled out of the pan and cut into strips...

 ..and then into little bite sized pieces. Each bite has buttery, crunchy shortbread, creamy cookie butter, and fudgey chocolate. Mmm cookie flavored cookies.

 

Cookie Butter Shortbread Bites

For the cookie layer:

1 cup flour

pinch of salt

1/2 cup Stirling Churn84 butter

1/2 cup + 2 TBSP icing sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup cookie butter

For the Chocolate Layer:

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup cookie butter

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 and line a 9x9 baking pan with parchment. Allow some parchment to hang over the edges to make the bars easier to remove

2. Stir together the flour and salt. In a separate bowl, cream the butter, sugar, and vanilla together until fluffy. Stir in the butter until a soft dough forms

3. Press the shortbread dough into the bottom of the parchment paper lined pan. Chill in the freezer until firm, then use a fork to prick holes all over the dough. Bake at 325 for 15 - 18 minutes until lightly golden around the edges.

4. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack (or outside). Once cool, spread the 3/4 cup of cookie butter in an even layer on top of the shortbread. Place in the fridge or freezer to chill while you make the topping

5. In a microwave safe bowl, heat the chocolate chips and cookie butter together. Stir every 30 seconds or so until the topping is melted and smooth. Allow the topping to cool until it is barely warm, but still pourable. Then pour it over the chilled bars and use a spatula to smooth it into an even layer. Allow the bars to set at room temperature.

6. Pull the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper and cut into strips, and then bite sized pieces. Store in an airtight tupperware container.

 

Full Disclosure: Stirling sent me some butter, but I bake with it because I legitimately enjoy the product and find the quality makes a difference. Nobody sent me cookie butter and I did not receive any payment for writing this post.

Comments

[Paula]

I've been waiting for this little jar to come to Canada! The next time I'm in the city I'll check the Superstores here and see if they have it in. If I like the taste of it I'll be sure to make your cookie butter shortbread bites, they look delicious!

[Janice (@KtchnHealsSoul)]

I haven't tried cookie butters. I'm pretty sure when I do, I'll probably eat the entire jar, and make these bars with the second jar ;)
They look amazing!

[Rebecca]

Oh my goodness.... YUM.
x
www.dancingthroughsunday.typepad.com

[Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough]

I totally want to make a whole batch of this while singing Circle of Life and then eat it all.

[Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe]

Oh snap, these look mega good. Which section of Superstore did you find the cookie butter in?! I must hunt for it on my next grocery venture. I brought a jar of cookie butter back from the States a while back and rationed it! But sadly, it is gone now. :(

[Stephanie]

Amanda and Paula: I found the cookie butter in the holiday food aisle both times. Near the xmas stuff on sale and all the Valentine's day candy. Try it!

Stephanie: that is the perfect plan

[Dina]

they look yummy!

[Bonnie Smith]

I'm confused. This looks like a recipe that would serve 4 to me :)

Bonnie

[Melissa]

Well I am VERY excited you found this in Canada! There is a "pirate joe's" in Vancouver that sometimes has it but it's a pain to get to. I'll have to look around for it in Save On or Safeway. yay! (cookie/bars look deelish by the way!)

[Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking]

Totally meta recipe!!! Hahaha! I'm picturing you holding up a little bite while singing Circle of Life. Amazing.

[Michelle]

What on earth?! I'm American and I've never heard of cookie butter. Now I must see if I can find it!

[Stephanie]

Bonnie: haa! It would serve 4 perfectly. Then you'd need to roll out nap-mats for the dessert coma

Melissa: I'm going to have to check out pirate joes when I'm in vancity next

Stefanie: That is exactly what happened

Michelle: You should be able too! A popular brand in the ol U.S of A is Biscoff

[Chocolateandginger]

Where did you get the Stirling butter? I checked out their site and they don't mention any Calgary retailers.

Thanks!

[Stephanie]

Chocolateandginger: They sent the butter to me from TO. I asked around and apparently you can get their regular butter at Costco. The specialty butter should be working it's way to Alberta stores soon though!

[jen]

Thanks so much! I've been in search of a good European style butter in town :)

[Alyse Anderson]

Just so your American readers know: Trader Joe's sells an incredible Speculoos Cookie Butter that is dangerously good. I believe they sell it in creamy OR crunchy, but I'm so all about the crunchy that there's no point in even reading the other labels.

[Stephanie]

@Alyse: Thanks for the tip! Gahhh.. I want to try the crunchy kind